Business View Caribbean | June 2022

5 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 T he National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, will be above normal. Specifically, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting 14 to 21 named storms, of which six to 10 could become hurricanes – meaning winds of at least 74 mph. Of those, three to six are predicted to be major hurricanes – Category 3, 4 or 5 – with winds of 111 mph or higher. John Kosak – NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) air traffic management specialist and program manager, weather – stressed that NOAA’s forecast of an above average season doesn’t tell people how many hurricanes will make landfall this year: “No one knows that ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON EXPECTED TO BE ABOVE NORMAL AGAIN THIS YEAR number.” But he did say that the forecast by NOAA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is a good time for NBAA members to take stock of their operations and be prepared. “When it comes to landfalling hurricanes, it only takes one to ruin your operation,” Kosak said. “These are huge storms with tropical storm force winds reaching out in excess of 100 miles from the eye or center of the storm. They can push a storm surge miles inland, which in some cases can cause more death and destruction than the winds. “Operators need a plan going into the season,” OPENING L INES